WISCONSIN — A record number of people are expected to travel this Thanksgiving, both in Wisconsin and the U.S.

According to AAA, close to 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That's 2.3% more travelers than last year.

What You Need To Know

  • According to AAA, close to 1.6 million Wisconsinites will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That's 2.3% more travelers than last year

  • An estimated 79.9 million travelers are predicted to travel 50 miles or more nationally, which would also be a new record

  • The record-setting numbers are driven by economic growth, declining inflation and strong income gains 

An estimated 79.9 million travelers are predicted to travel 50 miles or more nationally, which would also be a new record.

According to AAA Wisconsin spokesman Nick Jarmusz, it's typical to see the travel numbers go up year after year, unless there's some sort of disruption.

"Whether that be an economic disruption like we saw during the Great Recession or with COVID, a public health disruption, and then we see the numbers come way down and then they build back up year after year," Jarmusz explained. 

The previous record was set in 2019, right before the pandemic.

"We came very close to getting back to that point last year, but this year we did cross the threshold and are setting an all-time record high again," Jarmusz said. 

If you're driving to your holiday destination Jarmusz advised the worst times to be on the road are Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, when holiday travel is mixed in with regular evening commuters. To avoid congestion, he advised traveling on Thanksgiving Day if possible. 

Watch the full interview above.

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